What Are the Benefits of Using Nicotine Replacement to Quit Smoking ?

For individuals who are quitting the habit of smoking cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapy helps to reduce cravings for nicotine that are usually satiated by ingesting tobacco smoke from a cigarette.

Nicotine and Cigarettes

• Cigarette use poses serious health risks

  Cigarette smoking is addictive because the tobacco plant carries nicotine. During smoking, nicotine is ingested into the bloodstream through the lungs via the inhalation of smoke. Nicotine replacement therapy provides nicotine but allows for tobacco use to be bypassed.

Type of Nicotine Replacement

• The three major types of nicotine replacement therapy are the nicotine patch, nicotine gum and the nicotine inhaler. Each therapy allows the user to reduce cravings for cigarettes by providing nicotine in a manner that bypasses tobacco use.

Warnings

• Individuals using nicotine replacement therapy should follow the guidelines of the product or the advice of their doctor and should be cautioned against overdose. Symptoms of nicotine overdoes include dizziness, increased heart rate and nausea.

Effectiveness

• Nicotine replacement therapy has been proven to increase an individual's chance of successfully quitting smoking. Many doctors recommend that replacement therapy be used in conjunction with a quit smoking support group.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking

• Individuals who have successfully quit smoking report increased energy and a general sense of well being. In addition, improved circulation and improved taste and smell are also commonly reported by those who have quit.